Watt relishes being a hands-on player

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When J.J. Watt was incapacitated during training camp because of a dislocated elbow, he did two things that said everything you need to know about him. Watt lugged water to his hot and thirsty line-mates, and he spent some of his free time using the jugs machine, catching bullets one-handed.

The former spoke to his character, the latter to his desire to redefine the parameters of playing defensive end. And, only a season and a game into his NFL career, Watt is well on his way to doing so. Credit the Texans for understanding what they were getting when they made him their first-round draft pick in 2011. At Wisconsin, he led the team in passes broken up, a startling statistic the scouts uncovered while researching him.

The NFL record for passes defended in a season by a defensive end is 11, shared by three players. In the Texans’ season opener against Miami, Watt misdirected four of Ryan Tannehill’s passes, but one fluttered off course into the hands of a diving Dolphin after almost being intercepted by Bradie James.

Watching the QB
So Watt’s season pace is only 48, instead of 64. Probably won’t happen, of course, but he has given opposing quarterbacks, their coaches and their tackles another reason to fret.

“Basically, when you know you’re not going to get to the quarterback,” Watt said, explaining his methodology, “you watch his eyes, you watch his arm, you see when he starts to cock his arm and that’s when you put your hands up.

“Obviously I had a little bit of success with it (against the Dolphins). It’s something that really I feel frustrates the offense, and that’s a big deal. (The quarterback) thinks he has a receiver open. The receiver thinks he is open, and then all of a sudden you block the pass and the play is over, so I think it’s a big play for us.”

Defensive line coach Bill Kollar suggests a batted ball is “like getting a sack. It builds to the next play and helps get us out of a series.” And Watt’s effectiveness is contagious. Tim Jamison also whacked a ball off course against the Dolphins. This after the Texans led the NFL in deflections with 25 last season.

Although Watt protests, “I don’t want to be known just for batting balls,” you suspect he privately relishes his growing notoriety, and he’s definitely trying to push the envelope. Those jugs machine drills? He admitted he hopes to one day reach up and snare a pass one-handed for the pick. Asked if he believes it’s really possible, Watt replied, “Yeah, I think so. Why not?”

Last January, his more ordinary — yet still remarkable — two-handed interception gave the Texans a touchdown and deflated the Bengals in the franchise’s historic first playoff victory. Before that moment, he was just a really good rookie. Ever since, he has been seen as a potentially great player. Phillips compares Watt favorably with Hall of Famer Howie Long.

Texans left tackle Duane Brown, who’s also one of the best in the business at his position, watches Watt and expresses gratitude that he only has to deal with him in practice, not in full combat.

“Working against J.J. prepares me for everything,” Brown said.

Taking their best punch
Told that new Jacksonville head coach Mike Mularkey had suggested, only half-jokingly, the best way to keep Watt’s arms down was to punch him in the chest, Brown replied, “That would only make him mad and work harder to beat you. He’s competitive, man.”

Watt admits opponents often do slug him in the midsection when he leaps.

“It hurts,” he said. “But we aren’t in a pillow fight. I’m a big, strong guy. I can handle it.”

Another defensive tactic by the offense is to try to cut block him. But that’s fraught with peril, too, especially when the play calls for a quick three-step drop. It’s those plays on which Watt is most likely to swat a ball down.